Below is a letter exchange recently featured in the July 25 and August 8 editions of the SNJ - let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

UPDATE: Another letter writer has joined the debate (August 22) - scroll to the bottom see what they have to add

Hit by cycles

I WOULD like to raise the issue of the new brand of ‘green’ bike thugs who ride the footpaths alongside the canal between Stonehouse and Stroud.

Car dominance at any cost has now been overridden by bicycle dominance ’no matter what’ and many people who use their feet as a mode of getting about have had enough!

The footpath is now used as a racing track, and a tinkling bike bell (if you are lucky) means ‘get the hell out of my way or I will mow you down.’

I have seen people forced to jump into hedgerows, people almost having to leap into the water to escape injury, dogs and people hit and knocked over, and insults and abuse hurled if you don’t evacuate with considerable speed.

On the evening of Thursday, July 5, a motorbike sped down the canal path past Ebley Wharf towards Stroud!

This is not unusual.

I myself have been hit twice by speeding bikes, with not even an apology, one male rider blaming me for not getting out of the way quickly enough, and the other, a female, just kept on riding!

It has become a lethal place to walk, and what was once a wonderful way to relax and enjoy the scenery and wildlife, and somewhere level and safe from traffic for disabled people and the elderly, has become so hazardous, that many people I know now avoid it.

I have spoken to the waterways authorities and they say that the canal is a public footpath and bikes are banned.

I was told that historically, there were ‘no bike’ signs all along the canal path, but that these have now been vandalised and have not been replaced.

There are of course some very decent bike riders who are polite and thank you for leaving the path to allow them through.

This is commendable, but it still doesn’t resolve the issue that has been raised by others many times before.

Action must now be taken by the relevant authorities before someone is killed.

Vehicles, even ones without engines, and people, children, and pets cannot safely share a narrow footpath.

Bikes on bike tracks and people on footpaths!

Dr Bernadette Cibulskas

Ebley

It’s a towpath!

In reply to Dr Bernadette Cibulska’s letter in the Stroud News & Journal on July 25, I think she should check her facts before putting pen to paper and writing her petty letter.

It is not a footpath that runs alongside the canals it is a towpath and if you look up the word tow path it says…. a path alongside rivers and canals for land vehicles, animals and people to tow barges, cyclists have just as much right on the tow path as walkers and dog walkers.

Incidentally there are numerous dog walkers that do not have their dogs on leads and I do believe it is law for them to be on leads in public places.

While I do agree that some cyclists do come bombing along with no warning there are also walkers walking along with headphones in their ears that do not even hear the loudest of horns on a bike.

Millions of pounds have been spent on restoring and widening the canal tow paths for everyone to enjoy, it just needs consideration and tolerance by everyone that wants to use these paths.

I am a walker and a considerate cyclist and it is far safer to cycle when possible on the tow path than on the very busy dangerous roads where I have had numerous near misses with speeding traffic.

Only just recently we have had a fatality with a cyclist along a main road, surely no one can begrudge cyclists wanting to get some fresh air and exercise on a tow path which is safe and a very pleasant ride and for walkers to enjoy walking and taking in the scenery.

AJ Snell

Cyclist and walker

Eastington

Cycling issue

I agree with Dr Bernadette Cibulskas’ comments about cyclists who ride the footpaths alongside the canal.

It has become seriously dangerous. 

Most cyclists speed with the expectation that pedestrians jump out of the way. 

I have had numerous near misses - my dog not so lucky. 

The other week a cyclist tore around (no bell) what is a blind corner under the Nutshell bridge forcing myself and my dog practically into the canal. 

My ‘walk’ is no longer a walk as I am constantly stopping to let cyclists past. 

I think this footpath needs to be either a pedestrian or cycle path/track but both just doesn’t work.

Caroline Shaw

Stonehouse